Whatcom County Chapter of the American National Red Cross

The Whatcom County Chapter of the American National Red Cross was founded in 1917 by Mrs. E.W. Purdy in Bellingham, Washington.

The chapter was established in response to the United States' entrance into World War I. Chapter branches provided surgical dressings, clothes, transportation, linens, civilian relief, nurses, and financial aid in support of the war effort. During the 1920s and the Depression years, chapter members provided health and educational services to the local community. With the outbreak of World War II, the chapter mobilized nurses and other volunteers in Whatcom County, in part through its Nurses' Recruitment and Placement Service. After the war, the chapter focused its attention on service to veterans and their families, as well as emergency medical training and disaster relief. The chapter initiated a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation program in the 1960s, and provided relief services to the Whatcom County community through its Volunteer Disaster Service.

From the description of Whatcom County Chapter of the American National Red Cross records, 1917-1999. (Western Washington University). WorldCat record id: 154244297

The Whatcom County Chapter of the American National Red Cross was founded by Mrs. E.W. Purdy in Bellingham, Washington in 1917. Originally named the "Bellingham Chapter of the American Red Cross", the chapter was started in response to the entrance of the United States into World War I. The first meeting was attended by twenty-seven people. On March 1, 1917, a meeting was held at which officers, an executive committee, and twenty committee chairs were elected. The charter for the chapter is dated March 15, 1917.

By the end of World War I the chapter had grown to over 15,000 members with 23 branches and 18 auxiliaries*. The branches gathered and provided surgical dressings, clothes, transportation, linens, civilian relief, nurses, and financial aid for the war effort. Quotas were set by the national organization each month which the local chapter consistently met and exceeded.

Although membership declined in the post-war years, the chapter continued to provide health and educational services to the community. Programs included First Aid, Swim-for-Health, Water Safety, Water Sports, Aid for Visiting Nurses, Emergency Relief, and Flood Relief. During the Depression years, the chapter provided milk for up to 160 families with small children.

On April 5, 1934 the executive board voted to change the chapter’s name to the Whatcom County Chapter of the American National Red Cross to more accurately reflect its membership and constituency.

The chapter experienced a revitalization during the World War II years when many new and old programs were brought to life. The Nurses’ Recruitment and Placement Service provided sixty nurse volunteers from Whatcom County and the Production Corps had approximately 4,000 volunteers. Other services included The Home Service Department and the Camp and Hospital Corps. In addition to work done by recruited nurses, the chapter coordinated volunteer work through the Gray Ladies and the Nurses’ Aide Corps. The Junior Red Cross, established by the chapter in November 1917, also saw its membership peak during this time.

During the interwar period, and following the end of World War II, chapter membership declined. The chapter focused its attention on service to veterans and their families, as well as emergency medical training and disaster relief. During the 1960s, the chapter initiated a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) program. Although aimed initially at medical and allied health professionals in Whatcom County, CPR training and first aid courses were extended to the general public in the 1970s. The Red Cross has continued to provide services to the Whatcom County community through, for example, the Volunteer Disaster Service which responded to terrible flooding in 1983.

*As reported in "A Brief History of the Whatcom County Chapter, American Red Cross", Whatcom County Chapter of the American National Red Cross Records.

From the guide to the Whatcom County Chapter of the American National Red Cross Records, 1917-1999, (Western Washington University Heritage Resources)